Uplifting performance by Kildare Orchestra

That the County Kildare Orchestra should perform its Christmas Concert in Kilcullen Parish Church is very apt, writes Brian Byrne, because its founder is our own Berna Heyden, and Dorly O'Sullivan is also involved.

It's one of the downsides of the Diary that we can't always stay for all of the things we're covering, and tonight was one of those. But the orchestral music in the first half of the evening was so superb, as was the contribution of soprano Lorraine Maguire, that we know we missed a great second half of specific Christmas cheer.

That first section included music by Beethoven, Faure, Giordani, Handel and Corelli. And it wouldn't matter if you had no interest at all in classical music, you would leave uplifted and in great form. And I expect that the audience who were able to stay for the second half went home feeling very Christmasy.

The County Kildare Orchestra is an amateur group formed in 1998 and is currently conducted by Lorcan Daly. It is supported by Kildare County Council Arts Service and the Arts Council. More pictures from the evening here.